Vision
Developmental Milestones
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By 6 weeks
- stares at surroundings when awake
- briefly looks at bright lights/objects
- blinks in response to light
- eyes and head move together
By 3 months
- eyes glance from one object to another
- eyes follow a moving object/person
- stares at caregiver’s face
- begins to look at hands, food and bottle
By 6 months
- eyes move to inspect surroundings
- eyes move to look for source of sounds
- swipes at or reaches for objects
- looks at more distant objects
- smiles and laughs when he or she sees you smile and laugh
By 12 months
- eyes turn inward as objects move close to the nose
- watches activities in surroundings for longer time periods
- looks for a dropped toy
- visually inspects objects and people
- creeps toward favourite toy
By 2 years
- guides reaching and grasping for objects with the vision
- looks at simple pictures in a book
- points to objects or people
- looks for and points to pictures in books
- looks where he or she is going when walking and climbing
As their vision develops, babies enjoy:
By 6 weeks
- looking at you while you hold them close
- looking at toys with bright colours
- looking at objects with reflective qualities (such as mirrors)
- watching mobiles with simple black and white shapes
- watching things that move
By 3 months
- studying your face
- watching toys move from the side to the front of them
- looking at and reaching for objects hanging across their cribs
- toys with bright colours and interesting patterns
- using a night light in their rooms
By 6 months
- looking at their reflection in a mirror
- looking back and forth between two favourite objects
- seeing the world from different positions (e.g., high chair, floor, other furniture)
- toys that have complex patterns and toys that move (e.g., “jack in the box”)
- playing “peek-a-boo” games
By 12 months
- putting toys in and out of containers (and also in their mouths)
- playing with similar objects of different sizes (e.g., stacking rings, nesting cups, blocks)
- looking at board books with thick cardboard pages and simple coloured pictures
- pushing buttons or twisting knobs to make toys start
- watching outside activities through a window
By 2 years
- reading books with pictures of simple scenes and objects
- looking at photographs of family members and pets
- playing with simple board puzzles
- using blocks to play with and to build towers
- making trips outside to the store, the park, the library to watch people and activities
From: “Services for children who are blind or have low vision” – Ontario’s Blind – Low Vision Early Intervention Program
